IV therapy in Westmont, IL: IV fluids for dehydration

Dehydration looks different in adults, older adults and children. MedlinePlus lists these common signs:

If you or your child are dealing with several of these signs along with vomiting or diarrhea, an in-person evaluation makes sense. Our vomiting and diarrhea symptom guide can help you decide what to do next. For children, our pediatric urgent care team can examine your child.

You do not start with an IV. You start with an evaluation. The clinician needs to understand what is going on before choosing any treatment.

1. Call to confirm the clinicPhone (630) 324-6825 and ask which clinic offers IV therapy. The main line books visits at both Westmont, IL clinics. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can also check in online for the Cass Ave clinic.
2. Check-in and historyStaff ask about your symptoms, how long they have lasted, what you can keep down, your medicines and any health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease.
3. Vitals and examA team member checks your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and other vital signs. The clinician examines you and looks for signs of dehydration.
4. Testing if neededDepending on your symptoms, the clinician may order tests, such as urine or blood work. See our lab testing page for what we can collect.
5. The decisionThe clinician explains whether IV fluids fit your situation. If they do not, you will get other treatment options and home-care advice instead.
6. Treatment and monitoringIf IV fluids are recommended, a clinician places the IV and your team watches how you are doing while the fluid runs.

We do not promise how long a visit will take. Every patient is different, and your clinician will tell you what to expect.

Placing an IV is a routine medical procedure, but it still calls for care. Our clinicians use clean, sterile technique when they place the IV. The skin is cleaned before the IV is placed, and the tube is secured and checked.

While the fluid runs, a team member keeps an eye on you. Tell them right away if you feel pain, burning or swelling where the IV goes in, if you feel short of breath, or if you feel worse in any way.

Your clinician also looks at your health history before recommending IV fluids. People with heart failure, kidney disease or certain other conditions may need a different plan, because their bodies handle fluid differently. Be open about your medical history and medicines. That is how we keep the treatment safe.

After an IV, many people feel less lightheaded and less tired as the body regains fluid. Your clinician will not promise a specific result, because recovery depends on what caused the dehydration in the first place.

Before you leave, ask about these things:

• What to eat and drink at home. Small, frequent sips of an oral rehydration solution often work better than large drinks.
• How to tell whether you are getting better, such as more urine and lighter color.
• Whether you need a prescription or follow-up testing for the underlying illness.
• When to come back, or when to go to the nearest emergency room.
• Whether to follow up with your regular doctor or with our primary care team.

A little bruising or tenderness where the IV was placed is common and usually fades. Call us if the area becomes red, hot, swollen or increasingly painful.

Not every case needs an IV. For mild dehydration, MedlinePlus and NIDDK suggest steps like these:

1. Take small sips of water, an oral rehydration solution or broth. Start slowly if you are vomiting.
2. Rest in a cool place, especially after heat exposure.
3. Add bland foods back when you feel ready, such as toast, rice, bananas or crackers.
4. Avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine until you feel better.
5. Check how much and what color your urine is. Pale, regular urination is a good sign.

If you try these steps and still cannot keep fluids down, or you feel worse, it is time to be seen. Walk in or check in online.

We accept many insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Medicare. Coverage varies by plan, so call to confirm yours. You can see the full list on our insurance page or read about cost and insurance.

If you do not have insurance, self-pay visits start from $125. Our self-pay urgent care page explains how that works. We do not post a separate price for IV fluids here, because what you need depends on your evaluation. Ask the front desk about costs when you call.

Urgent Care Center of Westmont has two Westmont, IL clinics. Both are open seven days a week. Please call first so we can confirm which clinic can see you for IV therapy that day.

• Main clinic: 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, Westmont, IL 60559. Phone (630) 324-6825. This clinic also has on-site X-ray.
• Inside Jewel-Osco: 4 E Ogden Ave, Westmont, IL 60559. Phone (630) 541-6113.

Hours at both are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Our team is led by board-certified physicians, and patients have rated us 4.9 stars across 3,166 Google reviews. See all details on our locations page or our urgent care overview.